In the month of May, we celebrate Catholic Education Week in Alberta, the Yukon, and Northwest Territories. The theme for Catholic Education Week 2024, “Courage to Lead,” reminds us of our call and responsibility to live and uphold the teachings of our Catholic faith, even amidst the challenges of the world around us. Let us celebrate Catholic Education Week (May 14-19) this month with the provincial theme "Courage to Lead” (c.f. Micah 4:5). This Week also provides a special opportunity to thank each one of you for your extraordinary service to Catholic education. May God grant us the wisdom, courage, and strength to fulfill our sacred duty with courage and love, knowing that He walks alongside us every step of the way.

• Catholic Education Week Letter from the Bishops of Alberta (English | French)
• Video message from Archbishop Smith, Alberta Liaison Bishop for Catholic Education 

"On Friday, April 26th, 2024, at 7:00 pm, we are hosting a free movie screening of "SPELLERS," sponsored by High River Pro-Life. Everyone is invited to attend. The movie is inspired by the book Underestimated and challenges conventional wisdom regarding nonspeakers with autism, who are often relegated to society's margins. While most "experts" believe these individuals are cognitively disabled, the documentary provides a new perspective."

Trailer

Hello Everyone,

We are, once again, inviting you to be a part of our Fundraising plant order this spring! As always, there is a great selection of hanging baskets and potted annuals, with several new items this year. Prices are the same as last year!
Here are the instructions for our group. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me. Supplies are limited, plants are in high demand, and this platform is open to other groups as well, so for best selection, order early!
The password will be activated and the website will be open for orders starting on Monday, April 15th and will remain open until May 11. Do n ot su bm it a ny o r der s a fter th is da te - our group code will be closed at that point and you will not be able to link to our group. Please read through all of the instructions below. The most important step is the GROUP CODE. Please ensure that you understand the instructions before proceeding.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you!

Instructions:

Click or copy the link to find your way to the Greenhouse Effects website: www.greenhouseeffects.ca Click "Shop" and find the Fundraising Program. Click "Shop Now" and enter Guest Password: GE124 This will give you access to the online store for ordering. There are 32 Hanging Basket mixes and 70 individually potted plants for you to choose from. Once you have made your selections, continue to your Cart. This is where you will enter your GROUP CODE: Francis24 in the promo code box. This is very important. The purpose of the code is to link your purchase to our group. The code does not provide any further discount. However, please ensure you complete this step! Thank you! From here you can proceed to Payment. You will go through the usual steps for an online purchase, and be asked for your GROUP CODE once more. Once you submit your payment you are all ready to go!
Your order will be processed and delivered to St. Francis Parish, High River, for pickup on May 15, 2024. Happy shopping!

Dear Parishioners,
I'm thrilled to extend an invitation to each of you for a special event aimed at supporting a noble cause close to my heart. My name is Madeline McCallum, and I'm on a mission to raise funds for NET Ministries—a transformative organization dedicated to sharing the gospel with 2.2 million young souls, fostering encounters with the profound love of Christ through evangelization and discipleship.
In order to actively participate in this impactful ministry, I need to raise between $9,500 and $11,000. To help raise this money, I'm hosting a Silent Auction and Coffee House event at St. Francis De Sales on May 5th, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This will be an afternoon filled with performances, sweet treats, and exciting auction items! This will be the last day to purs Additionally, if you have any items you'd like to donate for the auction, whether it's a cherished possession, a handmade creation, or a service you can offer, your generosity would be immensely appreciated.
For donations or further inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 403-336-0227. Let's come together as a community to uplift and empower young hearts with the message of hope and love. I’m excited to see you all there!

If you are interested in making an online donation, you can do so at www.netusa.org/supportamissionary. Select Madeline McCallumin the team member box and be sure to select the 2024-2025 NET year at the top of the NET
page.

God Bless,
Madeline McCallum

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, or widely known as Good Shepherd Sunday is the World Day of Vocations. There will be a special collection for the work of vocations, in supporting the education and formation of seminarians and permanent diaconate program in our Diocese.  

Holy and provident Father, You are the Lord of the vineyard and the harvest and You give each a just reward for their work. In your design of love You call men and women to work with You for the salvation of the world. We thank You for Jesus Christ, your living Word, who has redeemed us from our sins and is among us to assist us in our poverty. Guide the flock to which You have promised possession of the kingdom. Send new workers into your harvest and set in the hearts of pastors faithfulness to your plan of salvation, perseverance in their vocation and holiness of life.
Christ Jesus, who on the shores of the Sea of Galilee called the Apostles and made them the foundation of the Church and bearers of your Gospel, in our day, sustain your people on its journey. Give courage to those whom You call to follow You in the priesthood and the consecrated life, so that they may enrich God's field with wisdom of your Word. Make them docile instruments of your love in everyday service of their brothers and sisters.
Spirit of holiness, who pour out your gifts on all believers and, especially, on those called to be Christ's ministers, help young people to discover the beauty of the divine call. Teach them the true way of prayer, which is nourished by the Word of God. Help them to read the signs of the times, so as to be faithful interpreters of your Gospel and bearers of salvation.
Mary, Virgin who listened and Virgin of the Word of God made flesh in your womb, help us to be open to the Word of the Lord, so that, having been welcomed and meditated upon, it may grow in our hearts. Help us to live like You the beatitudes of believers and to dedicate ourselves with unceasing charity to evangelizing all those who seek your Son. Grant that we may serve every person, becoming servants of the Word we have heard, so that remaining faithful to it we may find our happiness in living it. Amen